|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Community Directory - Articles |
|
|
| |
| NoHo gets a concert with L.A. Opera members to benefit Operation: Santa. |
|
 |
Every holiday season the NoHo community
comes together to support the annual
Universal City/North Hollywood Jaycees’
Operation: Santa project where teams of
Santa’s, Ms. Claus and Elves deliver toys to
deserving children in the East Valley on
Christmas Eve. Two of the Jaycees are also
members of the Los Angeles Opera and will be
performing a benefit Recital at First
Christian Church in North Hollywood on
November 10 at 7pm. (6pm Reception.) I
recently had a chance to chat with Gina
Graziadio and Ermin Cruz III to talk about
the benefit concert and learn a little more
about them and Opera.
Jack: How long have you been a
professional Opera performer?
Ermin: I have been studying voice
since I was nine years old and have been
performing professionally for over six
years.
Jack: What recent shows have you
performed in and where?
Gina: Most recently, I sang with the
Los Angeles Opera Chorus in the Verdi
Requiem, under the batton of Placido
Domingo. This was my first engagement after
having just returned from the Rome Festival
this past summer in Italy performing the
role of Nannetta from Verdi’s opera
“Falstaff.”
Jack: Tell us a little about what to
expect on Nov. 10th in NoHo.
Ermin: It will be a fun evening
filled with beautiful music. Gina, Greg (The
Pianist) and I have prepared a wonderful
program starting with Arts Songs, Dramatic
Arias. We also have a wonderful selection of
Spirituals and songs from Rodgers and
Hammerstein Musicals.
Jack: What other charities and/or
community projects are you involved in
besides the UCNH Jaycees’ Operation: Santa?
Gina: They vary from year to year,
but I used to sing National Anthems for
charity events and marathons. I’ve worked
with Vistas, a group that helps blind
children, and the Sandpipers Organization
that also helps children. I’ve also worked
with NIAF [National Italian American
Federation] which gives out scholarships to
kids to study abroad.
Ermin: In the past I have
participated in the Heart Walk by the
American Heart Association, the UCNH Jaycees
“Childspree,” and at UCLA, where I work, we
do “Adopt a Family” every year.
Jack: What will you be doing for the
Holidays?
Ermin: I will be staying in town and
celebrating the Holidays with family and
friends. In December, I will also start
rehearsals for LA Opera’s production of
Verdi’s “Otello” which is set to open in
February 2008.
For tickets and information on the
Recital to benefit Operation: Santa please
visit
www.ucnhjaycees.org/recital or call UCNH
Jaycee President Jack Witt at 818-760-3891,
or email
Jack@getfitwithWitt.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
